The Wand-er-er

Wanding the Gallo Merlot

My friend Donna called me today out-of-the-blue. We haven't been in
touch since we worked together selling sports photography. Donna is now
involved in a MLM called Amega. The pitch is that they have products
that will relieve pain and creams to make you look 12-15 years younger.
She invited me to come to a presentation with her tonight and see for myself. She said she couldn't describe the product. I would have to see
it for myself.

Yeah, I went.

Drinking Every Drop

The star of the product line is the Amega AMWand. A futuristic tool that is made-up of a combination of granulated materials processed using their proprietary Amized Fusion Technology. Whatever that means. Apparently it has something to do with Einstein and Quantum Physics and having found a way to tap into that energy. This positive energy can then be transferred into our body by waving a wand or by wearing a bracelet or a pendant on a necklace.

Here's a link to check it out:
http://www.wandtheworld.com/

Biting into a Bitter Lemon

I volunteered to participate in 3 of the demonstrations. One involved shots of Gallo Merlot Wine. Our speaker, Michael, gave us each a shot of wine, told us to smell it and drink it down. Then Michael brought us 3 more wines. This time he waved the wand over the wine several times. The smelling and drinking ritual was repeated. We were then asked if we noticed any difference. Myself and a blonde woman said that we couldn't smell the wine the 2nd time and we all felt it was less bitter.

The lemon test didn't go so well at least not for me. Michael performed the same ritual as he had with the wine. We didn't have to smell the lemon,
just take a nice big bite. The 2nd lemon is supposed to not taste sour. Both lemons were what you'd expect, bitter and sour.

Getting My Whole Body Wanded

The final demonstration involved having Donna and a friend wave wands all over my body for several minutes. Then all the subjects were asked if their pain had decreased. Not so much was the general consensus, but maybe somewhat. So we repeated the procedure and were asked again how we felt. My legs did feel quite a bit more relaxed, but I wonder if that was more from the yogic deep breathing we were doing than the wand.

I have to say I went for the adventure and because I like Donna. I actually had no idea what the products would be. I like to be open minded, but it really wasn't too convincing. I am still quite skeptical. However, they claim that you'll really feel a big difference the next day.

Okay, if I wake-up finding my legs feeling relaxed and have lost a significant amount of spasticity, then I probably still won't buy a wand because they cost $348.00, but I will admit in tomorrow's blog that the AMWand truly has magical powers.

Today

Laughter Yoga 30 min.

Meditation 20 min.

Dreaming of Sprout People and Red Wine

Fell asleep late last night as soon as my head hit the pillow. Such sweet and peaceful slumber - for 3 hrs. Then I woke-up feeling refreshed and relaxed. It was 3:45 a.m. Tried to go back to sleep, but my head wouldn't quiet down. Excited about this 1 year journey. I finally drifted-off 45 min. before the alarm was due to ring, but woke back up after only 30 min. Then the phone started ringing.

All day the phone rang, but always after I had left the room, so I could never run back and answer in time. This should have set the mood for the day, making me irritable, but instead I waltzed through the day without a care. Plenty of energy and just so laid back.

My son, True, has been hit hard with allergies, just when Spring Break started. I bought him some Benadryl and cough drops. I'll remind him to watch a comedy marathon. He may feel better by morning.

Friends have been very supportive of this blog and I've received some great ideas from them. Tomorrow is the big day for stocking-up on healthy provisions. My friend Laughing Laura has directed me where to order a sprouting kit to grow my own sprouts. I've been wanting to do that for 3-4 yrs. So why haven't I yet? Uh-huh. Sprouts are great for making hummus and putting in salads and breads. They're extremely nutritious.

Laughing Laura recommends The Sprout People   http://sproutpeople.org/

Another friend, Richie, recommended the vitamin, Resveratrol, extracted from the grapes used to make red wine. He's had amazing results: younger looking, more energy, better sleep :-) etc. I've heard those stories about it, but always in the media. Hearing the testimony from someone you know gives it even more cred. I've been wanting to try it, so tomorrow I'm going to Sam's (where Richie bought his) to get a nice big Sam's-size bottle.

Small but meaningful steps made today: 

1. Finally remembered to bring my own reusable grocery bags with me into the store and use them for the first time. I felt so proud - I had just saved the environment all by myself!
2. Walking through the hospital on the way to see my doctor, I passed about a dozen people and I smiled and said, "hi!". They all returned the greeting.
3. Ate only healthy foods. It's about to get a whole lot healthier. 

Today
Laughter Yoga 30 min.

Meditation 30 min.

The Laughter Journey Begins

Today I start taking time to laugh and play every day for my mental, physical and spiritual health. I have been living with the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis since 1997. Over the years, I've experimented with different diets, vitamins, sprituality and exercise. One thing is for sure - they ALL make a difference. The problem is in staying dedicated and making a complete and permanent lifestyle transformation.

Choosing to begin this 1 year journey of laughing on March 13 has its significance. On this day, the first Laughter Club met in a park in Mumbai, India with only 5 members including the founder, Dr. Madan Kataria. So, I am marking this 16th anniversary with a commitment to intentionally laugh each day for 365 days for at least 30 min., to mediate and to live purposefully.

In order to ensure that I spend a sufficient amount of time laughing heartily, I will schedule 30 min. of Laughter Yoga exercises everyday. Hopefully that won't be the only time I laugh that day! Another component to the laughter is to watch comedies on t.v.and funny clips on the internet. I'll filter out the negative or depressing influences from t.v., internet and radio as much as possible. I want to know what is happening in the world, I don't need to make it my constant diet.

This year is also about living purposefully. By that I mean to do those things that I know will bring more joy to myself and others. To take notice and be grateful of the gifts in the world around me. Get out there actively contributing more time to helping others. It's not that I don't ever volunteer, I do, but there is so much more I could be doing.

Nutrition is key in obtaining optimum results in this journey. I have spent periods of time eating a mostly raw food diet (about 80-90%) and I have felt the amazing vibrance you get from eating foods fresh from nature. Even though I know I feel and perform best when eating this way, the SAD (Standard American Diet) keeps creeping back in. Next thing I know, I'm living on pizza and candy and have no drive to do much of anything. Eventually I get back on the right track. It's a vicious cycle.

So here's the story on how this Blog came about. I'm a Laughter Yoga Leader & Teacher who has experienced and knows how euphoric you feel from a session of doing Laughter Yoga. As I mentioned, I also have M.S. The most constant symptoms of my  M.S. are being easily fatigued, heavy and stiff legs and the soles of my feet and palms of my hands tingle. At times those symptoms worsen and/or new symptoms appear temporarily. I know that if I just rest the episode will pass in a day or 2.

A few weeks ago, I had a genuine exacerbation. My legs became numb from the waste down especially in my feet and ankles. My legs were so stiff and heavy I could barely walk. Trying to do any task was exhausting and caused my legs to ache as if I had just walked 20 miles in 4 inch stilettos. After 2 weeks of this exacerbation not showing any signs of easing off, I decided to take action. I was supposed to lead a LY class in a couple days and I doubted that I could physically handle it, plus some days I was so fatigued that it caused me to feel depressed.

I spent the days before my LY class resting and watching a marathon of comedies on t.v. and the internet. I nixed any dramas or news broadcasts. GLEE is fantastic for this since it has singing, dancing and it's very funny. I read all the inspirational messages my LY buddies were posting on facebook.

By the morning of my LY class, I felt extremely joyful, energized and optimistic. My legs were still heavy, stiff and numb, but I now had the strength, enthusiasm and courage to lead my class. I explained to the class that I was having a flare-up of my M.S. and used myself as an example to show them that anyone can have fun with Laughter Yoga. We each do whatever we are comfortable and capable of doing. The class was a big success. I even received  another booking because a couple of the participants had recommended me to their women's group.

Here's that class & me

Inspired, I continued laughing over the next few days. Each day the numbness in my legs lessened until finally it was gone completely. Once the numbness had left, my legs lightened-up and became far less stiff. All-in-all it took about a week of rest and laughter to calm my inflamed body.

After this experience I decided to firmly commit to something I kept telling myself I should do. By starting this Blog, I am signing a contract. I will keep track of my progress here and talk about what's been happening and how I'm feeling.

Today 

Laughter Yoga 30 min.

Meditation 20 min.                                         

Each day for 365 days I will  

Laugh ~ Eat Healthy ~ Choose to be Grateful ~

Live Purposefully